[Nhcoll-l] Effects of fluid preserved specimens on passive environmental systems

Fri Nov 10 10:50:14 EST 2023

We have had fluid-preserved specimens on display in our department for over 20 years. They are in older jars of various sizes (mostly over 1 gallon/3.8 L) that have tapered ground-glass stoppers. I first cleaned the jars and stoppers with Alconox (Trisodium phosphate), then filled them with the specimens and 80% EtoH and applied Dow vacuum grease to the sealing faces (ground parts) of the stoppers and jars. Temperature in that area of the building varies from about 58-80 degrees F annually, and humidity from 65% to about 10% (yes! Philadelphia winters are VERY dry). Leakage so far has been zero.

Paul Callomon

Collection Manager, Malacology and General Invertebrates

________________________________

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
prc44 at drexel.edu<mailto:prc44 at drexel.edu> Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170

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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Dirk Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2023 9:36 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Effects of fluid preserved specimens on passive environmental systems

External.

Hi Bethany,

the quality of the seal depends a bit on the (fluctuations of the) temperature; also the evaporation pressure inside the jar would be linked to fluctuating temperatures. If you use denatured ethanol, and if this included MEK (in Europe), than MEK raises the evaporation pressure. Might be worth to consider recording of any unwanted microclimates that may build up inside the case.

Hopefully useful - With best wishes
Dirk

Am 10.11.2023 um 14:09 schrieb Watkins-Colwell, Gregory:

I’m not a conservator, but since the ethanol would evaporate before the water, the risk of high humidity seems less than the fear of fire. And even that, you’d probably need to fill the entire display case with ETOH vapor, which may be far more than could come from the jar(s) on display, for that to be possible.  And I’d think that empty jars would be noticed long before things went “boom”.

On the other hand, you might worry that the reduced humidity would interfere with the ability of the closure on the jar to seal properly. But that can be worked around, if it’s an issue.  A little aquarium sealant could help resolve that.

Just my pre-coffee thoughts.

Greg

****************

Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell

Sr. Collection Manager, Herpetology and Ichthyology

Division of Vertebrate Zoology

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7789-9806

YALE PEABODY MUSEUM

Main Office: 203-432-3791;  West Campus: 203-737-7568; Fax 203-432-9277

Package shipping address:

Greg Watkins-Colwell

Division of Vertebrate Zoology

YALE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

170–210 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511 USA

203-432-3791

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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Bethany Palumbo
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2023 7:10 AM
To: SPNHC <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>; NATSCA at jiscmail.ac.uk<mailto:NATSCA at jiscmail.ac.uk>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Effects of fluid preserved specimens on passive environmental systems

Hi all,

I would like to know if anyone has experienced adverse effects on passive environmental systems  from fluid preserved specimens displayed in 70% ethanol. Imagine the scenario that a display case has both fluid-preserved specimens in glass jars and taxidermy in the same case. I would want to add silica gel in the showcase to maintain a stable humidity for the taxidermy, but would the (30%) water content in the jars affect this? Obviously the quality of the sealant on the jar affects any evaporation rate, but how sealed is sealed enough? Does anyone know of any research in this specific issue?

Advice and experiences would be greatly appreciated!

--

Bethany Palumbo, ACR

Head of Conservation Unit

Statens Naturhistoriske Museum

Universitetsparken 15, 2100 København

[https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4x27Q3WyXJtc0hVDLhuSGlVOlSeUzp0BceeqFilFI-2Ma0XoUVX8vhSbEf_NJXYsgqjR9S0YoI]

Twitter | @bethany_bug

Instagram | @palumbo_conservation

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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst
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